New Hampshire SB 463: relative to possession of firearms in safe school zones.

Bill Text

SB 463-FN - AS INTRODUCED

2026 SESSION

 26-2246

 12/09

SENATE BILL 463-FN

AN ACT relative to possession of firearms in safe school zones.

SPONSORS: Sen. Fenton, Dist 10; Sen. Long, Dist 20; Sen. Rosenwald, Dist 13; Sen. Perkins Kwoka, Dist 21; Sen. Altschiller, Dist 24; Sen. Prentiss, Dist 5; Rep. Meuse, Rock. 37

COMMITTEE: Judiciary

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ANALYSIS

 This bill prohibits carrying a firearm in a safe school zone.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

 Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

 Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

 26-2246

 12/09

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six

AN ACT relative to possession of firearms in safe school zones.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 1 New Section; Possession of Firearms in a Safe School Zone. Amend RSA 159 by inserting after section 19-a the following new section:

 159:19-b Possession of a Firearm in a Safe School Zone. 

 I. No person shall knowingly carry a firearm, as defined in RSA 173-B:1, XI, in a safe school zone, as defined in RSA 193-D:1, II. Any person who violates the provisions of this paragraph shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor.

 II. This section shall not apply to:

 (a) Any person picking up or dropping off a student, provided the firearm remains in a motor vehicle, is not loaded, and is in either a locked container or a locked firearms rack.

 (b) Any person authorized in writing by the school board or duly authorized designee to possess a firearm. Such authorization shall specify the weapon or weapons that have been authorized, the purpose and scope of the authorization, and the time period for which the authorization applies.

 (c) Any duly appointed law enforcement officer, properly trained school resource officer, or member of the armed services of the United States or National Guard when on duty.

 2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.

 LBA

 26-2246

 10/2/25

SB 463-FN- FISCAL NOTE

AS INTRODUCED

AN ACT relative to possession of firearms in safe school zones.

FISCAL IMPACT: 

 Estimated State Impact

FY 2026

FY 2027

FY 2028

FY 2029

 Revenue

$0

$0 

$0 

$0 

 Revenue Fund

None

 Expenditures*

Indeterminable

 Funding Source

General Fund

 Appropriations*

$0 

$0 

$0 

$0 

 Funding Source

None

 *Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill

 Estimated Political Subdivision Impact

FY 2026

FY 2027

FY 2028

FY 2029

 County Revenue

$0 

$0 

$0 

$0 

 County Expenditures

Indeterminable

 Local Revenue

$0 

$0 

$0 

$0 

 Local Expenditures

Indeterminable

METHODOLOGY:

This bill adds, deletes, or modifies a criminal penalty, or changes statute to which there is a penalty for violation. Therefore, this bill may have an impact on the judicial and correctional systems, which could affect prosecution, incarceration, probation, and parole costs, for the state, as well as county and local governments. A summary of such costs can be found at: https://gencourt.state.nh.us/lba/Budget/Fiscal_Notes/JudicialCorrectionalCosts.pdf

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

Judicial Branch, Judicial Council, Department of Justice, Department of Corrections, New Hampshire Association of Counties, and New Hampshire Municipal Association